By Yemi Adebowale

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The sleaze allegations against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are very clear; that as a public servant, he bought three buildings in the United States estimated at $6 million. This loquacious, impetuous, and entirely uncouth man has been a public servant for almost his entire life.

He was a local government chairman; Chief of staff to a governor for four years; minister under the Jonathan government for four years; governor for eight years; and now minister under this Tinubu government. We all know what his earnings were back then. So, clearly, the funds for the houses purchased in the United States could not have been from his salaries and allowances as a public servant in the last 27 years. This is why those raising the red flag are claiming that Wike bought the houses with illicit funds.

The whistleblower is armed with facts and figures about Wike’s questionable acquisitions in the United States. The story is that Wike and his wife, Justice Suzzette Wike of the Court of Appeal, bought three multimillion-dollar lakeside properties in Winter Springs, Florida, United States worth over $6 million. The homes, bought between July 2021 and September 2023, were (for obvious reasons) later allegedly transferred via quitclaim deeds to their children, Jordan, Joaquin, and Jazmyne.

The whistleblower has petitioned the Attorney General of the State of Florida, James Uthmeier, seeking forfeiture and prosecution of Wike for allegedly buying the houses with illegitimate funds. The petition was also copied to the US Department of Justice and the US Ambassador to Nigeria, requesting collaboration under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.

The petitioner stated: “These cash-only acquisitions, followed by immediate transfers to his children, raise significant money laundering concerns. The assets were never declared to Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau. Wike’s decades-long career as a politician with no verifiable private enterprise could not justify such wealth.

“We urge you to investigate and, if confirmed as illicit, seize the properties, prosecute those involved, and impose a visa ban on Wike. The people of Nigeria have been impoverished for decades by the diversion of public funds. It would be a perversion of justice if those funds, siphoned through abuse of office, are allowed to flourish in Florida’s real estate market.”

The whistleblower listed the addresses of the assets as 113 Springcreek Lane, 209 Hertherwood Court, and 208 Hertherwood Court, all in Seminole County, Florida. He also attached public records and quitclaim deeds as evidence.

According to the petition, the transactions violated Florida’s Money Laundering Act (Chapter 896.101, Fla. Stat.), the Contraband Forfeiture Act, and US federal anti-money laundering laws.

It is pertinent to note that Wike has not fought these sleaze allegations. I have been waiting for him to respond appropriately, but no reply so far. No press statements. No interviews. Wike is mum. I guess the facts and figures provided by the whistleblower silenced him. The indictments are weighty. They must not be taken lightly by any government that is truly fighting corruption as claimed by the Tinubu government. I’m happy that President Tinubu, during a recent visit to Brazil, told the whole world that he had been fighting corruption in Nigeria. Mr. President, this is the time to prove this by taken action against Wike. A man like Wike has no business remaining in your cabinet. This is the time to show that you are opposed to corruption.

Mr. President, many are alleging that your government is corrupt. I am very sure you are aware of this. Opponent claim you even encourage corruption. They allege you encourage unethical practices by your ministers and aides. They claim that you are also corrupt. Now, this country is confronted with these multiple allegations of corruption involving your man, Wike. For me, the Wike shenanigans provides an opportunity to prove wrong those alleging that you encourage corruption. Mr. President, sack Wike now! The Sleaze facts and figures against him are overwhelming. Wike and his sleaze baggage are not good for the image of your government. You must use this opportunity to show the world that you are indeed fighting corruption in Nigeria.